Small sample accessories for optical spectrometers

Abstract

Provided herein are accessories for measuring a small sample using an optical spectrometer. A small sample accessory may include a sample holder to hold a small sample in optical communication with an optical spectrometer and a shell configured to reflect light from an illumination source away from the optical spectrometer.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A system for measuring a spectrum of a small sample, comprising:
 an optical spectrometer,   an illumination source, and   a small sample accessory comprising a shell and a small sample holder;   wherein the shell comprises a window portion and a non-window portion, wherein the shell is in optical communication with the illumination source, wherein the non-window portion is configured to reflect light emitted from the illumination source away from an optical spectrometer, and   wherein the sample holder is configured to hold a portion of the small sample through the window-portion of the shell, in optical communication with the optical spectrometer and the illumination source, such that the portion of the small sample is configured to scatter light emitted from the illumination source toward the optical spectrometer.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the shell is spherical. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the shell is hemi-spherical. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the shell is cylindrical. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the shell is tubular. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the shell comprises one or more angles. 
     
     
         29 . The accessory of  claim 23 , wherein the shell is configured such that the optical spectrometer is substantially equidistant from a given point on a surface of the shell. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the shell is configured to reflect visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the illumination source is configured to emit light within a light cone having a half-angle of at least 60 degrees. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the illumination source is configured to emit light within a light cone having a half-angle of at most 60 degrees. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the small sample has a volume of no more than 200 mL, no more than 100 mL, no more than 50 mL, no more than 20 mL, or no more than 10 mL, or no more than 1 mL. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a reflective cover positioned on top of the sample holder and configured to reflect light that passes through the small sample. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a second accessory comprising:
 an outer surface, and   an inner surface configured to partially or completely enclose the illumination source and the optical spectrometer,   wherein the outer surface or the inner surface or both are in optical communication with the portion of small sample and the shell, and wherein the inner surface is configured to direct light emitted by the illumination source to achieve at least two optical interactions with the portion of the small sample or the shell.   
     
     
         36 .- 47 . (canceled)